2014 Ford Fiesta ST Hatchback Review By John Heilig

THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig

Reviewed Model: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST Hatchback

Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged 4

Horsepower/Torque: 197 hp @ 6,350 rpm/202 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Wheelbase: 98.0 in.

Length x Width x Height: 160.1 x 67.8 x 57.2 in.

Tires: P205/40R17

Cargo: 10.1 cu. ft.

Economy: 26 mpg city/35 mpg highway/28.4 mpg test

Fuel capacity: 12.4 gal.

Curb Weight: 2,742 lbs.

Sticker: $25,985 (includes $825 destination, $3,780 options)

The Bottom Line: The Ford Fiesta ST gives the feel of a rally car over the right roads. On more normal roads, it’s a noisy subcompact.   

        Subcompact cars have about as diverse a reputation as any other segment of the industry. Most subcompacts are simply small econoboxes that are good ways for the manufacturers to increase their Corporate Average Fuel Economy numbers.   

        But there are other subcompacts, too, and the Ford Fiesta ST is a good example. These are the cars that are used, in highly modified form, in international rallying. They have highly tuned engines, stiffened suspensions, competitive interiors and four-wheel drive.   

        The Fiesta ST is a good compromise between the hopped-up cars and their more sedate cousins. The 1.5-liter engine is turbocharged, offering a healthy 197 horsepower. It has a 6-speed manual transmission and red and black Recaro seats that hug the driver and front passenger. It’s not quite the full competition version, but it gives you a good idea of what one might be like.       

    The Fiesta ST has excellent power. On the road, this power is great when you have to merge into traffic and there isn’t a lot of room, or a truck might be advancing. There’s a throaty exhaust that sound so much better than the tuner exhausts teenagers put on their subcompacts.

I liked the shifter, but occasionally I had problems finding the right gear. BY this I mean that I would occasionally try to find fifth gear and end up in third. This could also be my fault, as my ham-handed shifts are legendary.    

       Handling is superb, if you’re looking for sporty handling. My wife pointed out, however, that it seemed rock-hard and most road surfaced transmitted their irregularities back into the cabin.      

     Front passengers have good legroom and comfort with those Recaro seats. Thanks to Weight Watchers, I now know what it’s like to sit IN a Recaro seat rather than ON one. Rear legroom is tight, as might be expected from the class of car. Knee room is there, thanks to deep indents in the backs of the front seats. The rear seats are red and black to match the fronts.    

       Cargo capacity is decent, thanks to the hatchback design. It’s listed at only 10.1 cubic feet, but since the rear seat backs fold easily it’s easy to increase cargo capacity. I did have to lower the rear seat backs to get a golf bag in, though. There’s even hidden cargo space under the trunk floor.      

     Creature comforts abound, not what you’d find in a true rally car. For example, there’s ambient lighting around the cup holders, in the foot wells and under the dash. The instrument panel is clear, with a large tachometer and speedometer and an information panel splitting them. The HVAC system did a good job of cooling the car in very hot weather.    

       Fiesta has “splitter” mirrors to help see what’s lurking in the left and right blind spots. These consist of normal mirrors, with a built-in highly convex inset mirror for wider visibility.    

       The Ford Fiesta ST has a dual personality and it made itself obvious during our test. As I have said earlier, my true love of automobiles began with a pair of MGAs. So I appreciated the sportiness of the Fiesta. My wife is more of an Oldsmobile/Buick fan, large, comfortable cars. So while I liked the Fiesta’s sportiness, she didn’t. This might be something to consider if you’re in the market.

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